Wearable absorbent article with robust-feeling waistband structure

ABSTRACT

A disposable diaper having front and rear augmented waistband zones having a specified size and stiffness is disclosed. For relatively thinner, less bulky diapers of currently marketed designs, providing augmented waistband zones is believed to reduce mental and physical effort for the caregiver in application of the diaper. The augmented waistband zones provide a robust-feeling structure proximate the waist edges, which the caregiver may grasp at front and rear to adjust the diaper on the wearer. Caregiver perception of a need to reach deeper into the diaper structure to grasp it at a thicker area to tug at it is believed to be reduced.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/928,493,filed Jun. 27, 2013, the substance of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

Improvements in manufacturing techniques and developments of materialtechnology have allowed manufacturers of disposable diapers to reducethe quantities of materials used in manufacture and reduce the size,bulk and/or weight of various components of such products. For example,the development and improvement of superabsorbent polymers (also knownas absorbent gelling materials), and improvements in absorbent coredesigns, have enabled manufacturers to reduce the size and bulkiness ofabsorbent core components. Improvements in polymer materials andprocessing techniques have enabled manufacturers to use lowerbasis-weight components including nonwoven web materials and filmmaterials. This has enabled per-unit savings in costs of materials andshipping, without compromising the absorbency or containment functionsof the products.

As a result of these improvements, current disposable diaper designs,while relatively light and non-bulky, may also have attributesconsciously or unconsciously perceived negatively by some consumers. Insome current designs the upper waist regions of the diapers may haverelatively few or no absorbency components and may consist only of a fewlayers of relatively low basis weight, thin web materials. In suchcurrent designs the upper waist regions may have an insubstantial,flimsy feel to the consumer.

Caregiver habits and practices relating to applying diapers to childrenhave been observed. It has been observed that, after fastening diaperson children, some caregivers, positioning themselves alongside thechild, tend to grasp the diaper between thumb and fingers of their rightand left hands, at the front and rear waist regions, in order to tug andadjust the diaper on the child for optimal fit. It has been observedthat, with some current diaper designs having relatively thin structuresat the upper waist regions, those caregivers may tend to reach down intothe diaper with thumb and/or fingers to the absorbent core region, tograsp the diaper at front and rear locations it is believed theyperceive to be more structurally robust, to make these finaladjustments. It is believed that this practice or habit, subtly butundesirably, contributes to the overall mental and physical effortexerted by the caregiver for the diapering process.

Consequently, a cost-effective way of reducing or eliminating this extraeffort and/or the perceived need therefor is desirable.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a disposable diaper laid out extendedand flat, with its wearer-facing surfaces facing the viewer;

FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal cross section of the disposablediaper of FIG. 1, taken through line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and shownschematically with components partially separated for illustrationpurposes;

FIG. 3 is a schematic frontal view of components of fixtures for testingstiffness according to the Stiffness Test Method described herein;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the plunger blade component of thefixtures of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic lateral cross-sectional views of examplesof separate elastic waistband structures overlaying a topsheet/backsheetcombination.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, the following terms will have the meanings set forth:

“Absorbent polymer material,” “absorbent gelling material,” “AGM,”“superabsorbent,” and “superabsorbent material” are used hereininterchangeably and refer to cross linked polymeric materials that canabsorb at least 5 times their weight of an aqueous 0.9% saline solutionas measured using the Centrifuge Retention Capacity test (Edana441.2-01).

“Caliper” is a measurement of a diaper according to the CaliperMeasurement Method set forth herein.

The term “elastic” or “elastomeric” refers to the property of a materialthat can extend, without substantial rupture or breakage, to a strain of100% in the Hysteresis Test, with a set less than or equal to 10% of theelongation as measured according to the Hysteresis Test. For example, amaterial that has an initial length of 25 millimeters and extends 25millimeters to an extended length of 50 millimeters (100% elongation)with a set of 2 millimeters (8% of the elongation), when subjected tothe Hysteresis Test, would be considered elastic.

“Film” means a skin-like or membrane-like material formed of one or morepolymers, which does not have a form consisting predominately of aweb-like structure of consolidated polymer fibers and/or other fibers.

“Inboard” and “outboard” are terms used to relate location of onefeature of a diaper to another feature or location thereof, and relatethem to either or both the longitudinal and lateral axes. For example,when a feature A is said to lie longitudinally “outboard” of a featureB, feature A lies farther from (but on the same side of) the lateralaxis than feature B. When a feature A is said to lie laterally outboardof a feature B, feature A lies farther from (but on the same side of)the longitudinal axis than feature B. Conversely, when a feature A issaid to lie longitudinally “inboard” of a feature B, feature A liescloser to (but on the same side of) the lateral axis than feature B; andwhen a feature A is said to lie laterally “inboard” of a feature B,feature A lies closer to (but on the same side of) the longitudinal axisthan feature B. The intersection of the lateral and longitudinal axes isthe inboardmost point on a diaper.

“Lateral,” relative to a disposable diaper, refers to a directionperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the diaper.

“Longitudinal,” relative to a disposable diaper, refers to a directionparallel to the longitudinal axis of the diaper.

The “longitudinal axis” of a disposable diaper is a line passing throughthe midpoints of each of the front and rear waist edges of the diaperchassis.

“Long,” “length” and other forms thereof, relative to a disposablediaper, refer to a dimension measured along a direction parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the diaper.

A “nonwoven” is a manufactured sheet or web of directionally or randomlyoriented fibers which are first formed into a batt and then consolidatedand bonded together by friction, cohesion, adhesion or one or morepatterns of bonds and bond impressions created through localizedcompression and/or application of pressure, heat, ultrasonic or heatingenergy, or a combination thereof. The term does not include fabricswhich are woven, knitted, or stitch-bonded with yarns or filaments. Thefibers may be of natural or man-made origin and may be staple orcontinuous filaments or be formed in situ. Commercially available fibershave diameters ranging from less than about 0.001 mm to more than about0.2 mm and they come in several different forms: short fibers (known asstaple, or chopped), continuous single fibers (filaments ormonofilaments), untwisted bundles of continuous filaments (tow), andtwisted bundles of continuous filaments (yarn). Nonwoven fabrics can beformed by many processes including but not limited to meltblowing,spunbonding, spunmelting, solvent spinning, electrospinning, carding,film fibrillation, melt-film fibrillation, airlaying, dry-laying,wetlaying with staple fibers, and combinations of these processes asknown in the art. The basis weight of nonwoven fabrics is usuallyexpressed in grams per square meter (gsm).

“Stiffness” is a property to be measured according to the Stiffness TestMethod described below.

“Wide,” “width” and other forms thereof, relative to a disposablediaper, refer to a dimension measured along a direction perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis of the diaper.

Referring now to the Figures, a disposable diaper chassis 5 may beformed of a liquid permeable topsheet 10 and liquid impermeablebacksheet 20 with an absorbent core 30 disposed therebetween. Thetopsheet 10 and backsheet 20 may be affixed together approximately abouttheir perimeters to envelope the absorbent core 30 and form the chassis5 structure. The chassis 5 will have a front region 35 lying forward ofa lateral axis 90 and ending at front waist edge 36, and a rear region37 lying rearward of lateral axis 90 and ending at rear waist edge 38.For reference, a longitudinal axis 91 may be defined as a line passingthrough the midpoints of the waist edges 36, 38, bisecting the diaperwidth; and the lateral axis 90 may be defined as a line perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis and bisecting the diaper length.

The chassis 5 and absorbent core 30 may form the main structure of thediaper with other features added to form a composite diaper structure.While the topsheet 10, the backsheet 20, and the absorbent core 30 maybe assembled in a variety of well-known configurations, preferred diaperconfigurations are described generally in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,554,145;5,569,234; and 6,004,306.

The topsheet 10 may be fully or partially elasticized and/or may beforeshortened to create a void space between the topsheet 10 and theabsorbent core 30. Exemplary structures including elasticized orforeshortened topsheets are described in more detail in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,037,416; and 5,269,775.

The backsheet 20 may be joined with the topsheet 10. The backsheet 20may serve to prevent the exudates absorbed by the absorbent core 30 andcontained within the diaper from soiling other external articles thatmay contact the diaper, such as bed sheets and clothing. The backsheet20 may be substantially impervious to liquids (e.g., urine) and may beformed of a laminate of a nonwoven web and a thin polymeric film such asa thermoplastic film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) toabout 0.051 mm (2.0 mils). Suitable backsheet films include thosemanufactured by Tredegar Industries Inc. of Terre Haute, Ind. and soldunder the trade names X15306, X10962, and X10964. Other suitablebacksheet materials may include breathable materials that permit vaporsto escape from the diaper while still preventing liquid exudates frompassing through the backsheet 20. Exemplary breathable materials mayinclude materials such as woven webs, nonwoven webs, composite materialssuch as film-coated nonwoven webs, and microporous films such asmanufactured by Mitsui Toatsu Co., of Japan under the designation ESPOIRand by EXXON Chemical Co., of Bay City, Tex., under the designationEXXAIRE. Suitable breathable composite materials comprising polymerblends are available from Clopay Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio under thename HYTREL blend Pl 8-3097. Other examples of such breathable compositematerials are described in greater detail in PCT Application No. WO95/16746. Other breathable backsheets including nonwoven webs andapertured formed films are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,096.

Suitable nonwoven web materials useful for forming the backsheet 20 or alayer thereof may include, but are not limited to, spunbond, meltblown,spunmelt, solvent-spun, electrospun, carded, film fibrillated, melt-filmfibrillated, air-laid, dry-laid, wet-laid staple fibers, and other andother nonwoven web materials formed in part or in whole of polymerfibers. A suitable nonwoven web material may also be an SMS material,comprising a spunbonded, a melt-blown and a further spunbonded stratumor layer or any other combination of spunbonded and melt-blown layers,such as a SMMS or SSMMS etc. Examples include one or more layers offibers with diameters below 1 micron (nanofibers and nanofiber layers);examples of these rise in combinations of SMS, SMNS, SSMNS or SMNMSnonwoven webs (where “N” designates a nanofiber layer). In someexamples, permanently hydrophilic non-wovens, and in particular,nonwovens with durably hydrophilic coatings may be desirable. Typically,the suitable non-woven is air permeable. Typically the suitable nonwovenis water or liquid permeable, but may also be water impermeable byreason of fiber size and density, and hydrophobicity of the fibers.Water or liquid permeability may be enhanced by treatments to render thefibers hydrophilic.

The nonwoven web of the backsheet may be formed predominately ofpolymeric fibers. In some examples, suitable non-woven fiber materialsmay include, but are not limited to polymeric materials such aspolyolefins, polyesters, polyamide, or specifically polypropylene (PP),polyethylene (PE), poly-lactic acid (PLA), polyethylene terephthalate(PET) and/or blends thereof. Nonwoven fibers may be formed of, or mayinclude as additives or modifiers, components such as aliphaticpolyesters, thermoplastic polysaccharides, or other biopolymers(bio-based or renewable polymers).

The individual fibers may be monocomponent or multicomponent. Themulticomponent fibers may be bicomponent, such as in a core-and-sheathor side-by-side arrangement. Often, the individual components comprisealiphatic polyolefins such as polypropylene or polyethylene, or theircopolymers, aliphatic polyesters, thermoplastic polysaccharides or otherbiopolymers.

Further useful nonwovens, fiber compositions, formations of fibers andnonwovens and related methods are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,645,569to Cramer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,863,933 to Cramer et al., U.S. Pat.No. 7,112,621 to Rohrbaugh et al.; co-pending U.S patent applicationSer. Nos. 10/338,603 and 10/338,610 by Cramer et al., and Ser. No.13/005,237 by Lu et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated byreference herein.

The diaper may have an absorbent core 30 within the envelope-likestructure formed by topsheet 10 and backsheet 20. Absorbent core 30 maycomprise any absorbent material which is generally compressible,conformable, non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and capable ofabsorbing and retaining liquids such as urine and other certain bodyexudates. Absorbent core 30 may comprise a wide variety ofliquid-absorbent materials commonly used in disposable diapers and otherabsorbent articles such as comminuted wood pulp, which is generallyreferred to as airfelt. Examples of other suitable absorbent materialsinclude creped cellulose wadding; meltblown polymers, including coform;chemically stiffened, modified or cross-linked cellulosic fibers;tissue, including tissue wraps and tissue laminates; absorbent foams;absorbent sponges; superabsorbent polymers; absorbent gelling materials;or any other known absorbent material or combinations of materials.

Absorbent core 30 may include a separate layer of liquidacquisition/distribution material, and a section formed of storagematerial. Generally, acquisition/distribution material may havecomparatively rapid absorption and wicking properties, but also may havelimited absorption capacity. Conversely, generally, storage material mayhave comparatively slower absorption and wicking properties, but alsomay have greater absorption capacity. Thus, acquisition/distributionmaterial may serve to rapidly absorb and distribute gushes of liquidsuch as urine, while storage material, having greater absorptioncapacity, may serve to absorb such liquid from theacquisition/distribution material and store it for the time needed untilthe insert may be replaced.

Absorbent core 30 may be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes andshapes (e.g., rectangular, hourglass, “T”-shaped, etc.). Theconfiguration and construction of absorbent core 30 may also be varied(e.g., the absorbent core(s) or other absorbent structure(s) may havevarying caliper zones, hydrophilic gradient(s), a superabsorbentgradient(s), or lower average density and lower average basis weightacquisition zones; or may comprise one or more layers or structures).Examples of absorbent structures for use as absorbent core 30 mayinclude those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,610,678; 4,673,402;4,834,735; 4,888,231; 5,137,537; 5,147,345; 5,342,338; 5,260,345;5,387,207; and 5,625,222.

To reduce the overall size and/or thickness of the absorbent core, andthereby improve wearer comfort and reduce the volume of disposable wastecreated by a soiled insert, it may be desired to construct an absorbentcore using the lowest volumes of core materials possible withinperformance constraints. Toward this end, examples of suitable materialsand constructions for a suitable absorbent core are described in, butare not limited to, copending U.S. applications Ser. Nos. 12/141,122;12/141,124; 12/141,126; 12/141,128; 12/141,130; 12/141,132; 12/141,134;12/141,141; 12/141,143; and 12/141,146. These applications generallydescribe absorbent core constructions that minimize or eliminate theneed for and inclusion of airfelt or other forms of cellulose fiber incombination with particles of superabsorbent polymer (hereinafter,“substantially airfelt-free cores”). Airfelt and other cellulose fiberhave been used as absorbent fillers in absorbent cores of disposablediapers. Such fiber possesses absorbent properties and imparts someabsorption capacity to an absorbent core, but also is included toprovide a structural matrix to hold dispersed particles ofsuperabsorbent polymer and/or absorbent gelling material. Whileinclusion of such particles enhances absorption capacity, keeping suchparticles suitably dispersed may be important to prevent the particlesfrom “gel-blocking” in use as they swell with absorbed liquid, causingloss of absorption capacity. The inclusion of airfelt or other cellulosefiber as a matrix for superabsorbent particles can serve to reduce orprevent gel-blocking. However, it also imparts bulk to an absorbentcore, even before absorption of any liquids.

In accordance with the disclosures in the applications identifiedimmediately above, an absorbent core 30 having a portion that issubstantially airfelt-free may be disposed between the topsheet 10 andthe backsheet 20. The core 30 may include a layer formed at least inpart of a substrate, distributed particles of AGM, and a thermoplasticadhesive composition capturing the distributed AGM particles andadhering to at least portions of the substrate, thereby immobilizing theAGM particles on or proximate to, and relative to, the substrate.

In addition to providing an absorbent core having reduced bulk, thesubstantially airfelt-free core may generally be more flexible than anabsorbent core containing substantial amounts of airfelt or othercellulose fiber. This enhanced flexibility may enable the core and thediaper to better conform about the wearer's body when in use, providingfor improved comfort and less bulky appearance of the diaper.

Additionally, by reducing or eliminating airfelt or other cellulosicfiber material, the substantially airfelt-free core reduces the amountof materials consumed in manufacturing, reduces the amount of space (andin some circumstances, weight) per unit which must be packaged andshipped, conserving resources in that regard, and reduces the amount ofmaterials and bulk which must be disposed of in connection withdisposing of a used/soiled diaper.

An absorbent core designed and constructed according to the abovedescription can result in an effectively absorbent but relativelynon-bulky absorbent structure giving the diaper a Caliper in therearward portion of the absorbent core, for example, of less than 4.0mm, less than 3.5 mm, or even less than 3.0 mm, making the diapersubstantially less bulky than older products in the market which weretypically more bulky. (For purposes herein, the caliper of a diaper ismeasured using the Caliper Measurement Method set forth below.) Caliperin the rearward portion of the absorbent core may be deemed relevantbecause it reflects the amount of bulk that is present and visible fromthe rear when the diaper is worn. Generally, less bulk may be preferred,for purposes of comfort, for purposes of appearance of the diaper whenworn, and for purposes of taking up less space in packaging andshipping.

The diaper may include a pair of oppositely-disposed fastening members40 extending laterally from each of the left and right sides of thechassis 5 in the rear region 37. Fastening members 40 may be formed ofan elastically extensible web material, and be elastically extensible inthe lateral direction. Examples of suitable elastically extensiblefastening members are described in U.S. application Ser. No. 12/904,220.Each of fastening members 40 may have proximate its distal end amechanical fastener 42. Mechanical fastener 42 may be a strip or patchof a hooks material (exemplified by the hooks component of a VELCROfastening system), affixed or adhered to the materials forming fasteningmember 40 on the wearer-facing surfaces thereof.

The diaper may include a landing zone 45 on the outward-facing surfaceof the front region 35. Landing zone 45 may be formed of a strip orpatch of loops material (exemplified by the loops material component ofa VELCRO fastening system) adhered to the outward-facing. A variety ofmaterials may serve as suitable loops material i.e., material havinglooped fibers and/or lengths of fibers at the outer surface withcaptured ends, which functions to receive and fastenably capture andhold hooks material brought into facing contact therewith. Examples ofsuitable landing zone material are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.8,388,596; 7,895,718; 7,895,178; and 7,805,818; and in U.S. applicationSer. No. 13/538,140. Hooks material and landing zone material may beselected for a combination of desirable fastening and holdingperformance, cost, and ease of handling/processing in manufacture of thediaper. In some examples, however, a nonwoven web material forming theouter layer of the backsheet may be manufactured to have fiberconfiguration, fiber strength and fiber bonding configuration to make itsuitable for receiving, fastenably capturing and holding suitable hooksbrought into facing contact therewith, and to have strength sufficientto resist forcible separation from the hooks so as to provide suitableholding strength, such that a separate patch of loops material is notneeded to form the landing zone.

The diaper may include a pair of oppositely disposed front ears 50extending laterally from each of the left and right sides of the chassis5 in the front region 35. Front ears 50 may simply be extensions of thematerials forming the topsheet 10 and/or backsheet 20, or may be formedseparately of a web material (such as a nonwoven web material) andbonded and/or adhered to the chassis 5. Front ears 50 may be used by thecaregiver to grasp the diaper at the front region while stretching thefastening members 40 and applying the mechanical fasteners 42 to thelanding zone 45 to fasten the diaper about a child.

The diaper may include a pair of barrier cuffs 32. Examples of suitablebarrier cuff structures are depicted and described in U.S. applicationSer. Nos. 13/537,626; 13/457,521; and 13/457/523.

As may be appreciated from FIG. 2, front and rear thin portions 60, 62in the front and rear regions 35, 37 lying immediately longitudinallyinward of the waist edges 36, 38, may consist only of a few layers ofmaterial, in some cases, as few as two. For example, these thin portionsmay consist only of the topsheet 10 and backsheet 30; or topsheet 10,backsheet 30 and landing zone 45, with few or no absorbent corecomponents present to add bulk. As noted, this may give a caregiver aperception of insubstantiality or flimsiness of these thin portions.This perception may cause the caregiver to reach down to the absorbentcore region to grasp the diaper at perceivably more robust portions ofthe structure in front and rear to perform fit adjustments by tuggingafter fastening.

Following observations of caregiver practices, without intending tobound by theory, it is believed that augmenting these thin portions 60,62 proximate the waist edges, by imparting one or more of greater heft,thickness and/or stiffness to them, causes caregivers to grasp thediaper at these higher locations and forego reaching down to theabsorbent core region to perform tugging adjustments after fastening.Without intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that relativelygreater heft, thickness and/or stiffness, perceivable through tactilefeel, tend to implicitly signal to the caregiver that the diaperstructure is sufficiently robust at these areas proximate the waistedges to withstand grasping and tugging. It is believed that, to thecaregiver, this signal is consciously or unconsciously interpreted tomean that it is unnecessary to reach down to the core region to grasp aperceivably more robust portion of the structure to grasp and tug at thediaper. Thus, it is believed that such augmentation can reduce thephysical and mental effort the caregiver consciously or unconsciouslyexercises in the application of the diaper to a child.

Depending upon the type and nature of augmentation provided, it may alsomake the waistband areas more capable of withstanding tuggingadjustments of differing types without tearing. Such augmentation may beadvantageous for the caregiver during the steps often followed in diaperapplication and removal: tugging the diaper from the rear region toslide it under a reclining child; tugging at the sides of the diaperfrom the rear region to wrap it about the child; grasping and holdingthe diaper in the front region during fastening, and final tuggingadjustment; and removal: opening the diaper to remove it with aggressiveeffort. Augmentation of thin portions may help give the caregivergreater confidence in grasping and manipulating the diaper, removing orpreventing any perception that particular care or thought is needed.

Perceivable heft, stiffness and/or robustness may be imparted to augmenta zone in various ways. These include adding material or layers ofmaterial to the structure. As reflected in the figures, front and rearaugmented waistband zones 64, 66 may be provided by including respectivefront and rear layers of augmenting material 70, 72 in addition to theother layers of material forming the diaper structure including thetopsheet, backsheet and landing zone. The augmenting material may be anymaterial that imparts additional stiffness, heft and/or mechanicalstrength to the structure, localized at the augmented waistband zone. Byway of non-limiting example, the augmenting material may be anadditional layer of nonwoven web material, an additional layer of film,or even an added quantity of polymeric adhesive. As suggested in FIG. 2,the augmenting material may be disposed between the backsheet 20 andtopsheet 30; however, it may also be disposed on the outer surface ofthe backsheet, or on the inner surface of the topsheet, or at any otherlocation among the layers forming the diaper in the thin portions 60,62.

Elastomeric materials in the form of elastic films, elastic strips orelastic strands, of the types often used as components in disposablediapers, are generally relatively pliable, flexible and stretchy. Thesecharacteristics may make an elastomeric material in one of these forms,in an economically desirable quantity/weight/basis weight, insufficientfor use as an augmenting material because it may not be sufficient toadd the desired degree of stiffness or suitably perceivable structuralrobustness. Accordingly, it may be desired that the augumenting materialnot be solely in the form of an elastomeric film, elastomeric strand orelastomeric strip. If an elastomeric material in such form is includedin the structure, it may be desired that it be accompanied by layer ofaugmenting material that is in addition to such elastomeric material.

Adding augmenting material(s) to a diaper may be counterproductive tocontrolling costs by minimizing materials usage. For this reason,minimizing usage of augmenting material may be desired. At the sametime, certain minimum properties and/or values thereof are believednecessary to provide the desired tactile feel and reduction of caregivereffort. These may be reflected in the planar dimensions of theaugmenting material(s) added, in the weight(s) of the augmentingmaterials added, and in the stiffness imparted to the thin portions 60,62 by the added augmenting materials.

Accordingly, it may be desired that the layer(s) of augmentingmaterial(s) 70, 72 be substantially laterally centered about thelongitudinal axis, as suggested in FIG. 1. It may be desired that one orboth the layer(s) of augmenting material(s) have a width W that is atleast 60 cm, more preferably at least 80 cm, and still more preferablyat least 100 cm. Considered differently, without intending to be boundby theory, it is believed that the minimum width of the augmentingmaterial(s) 70, 72 may be suggested by the total width TW of the waistedges 36, 38. It is believed that this is because the total width of awaist edge may affect the lateral variability of the location at which acaregiver will grasp it: A wider waist edge will effect greater lateralvariability, and vice versa. Accordingly, it may be desired that width Wof one or both of the layer(s) of augmenting material(s) 70, 72 be atleast 30%, more preferably at least 35%, and even more preferably atleast 40% of the total width TW of the waist edge(s) 36, 38 proximatethereto. (For purposes herein, the total width TW of a waist edge ismeasured between the laterally outboardmost longitudinally-orientededges of the backsheet in the front region 35 or rear region 37 of thediaper proximate the waist edge in question.) In the interest ofmaterial cost savings, however, it may be desired that the width W ofone or both the layer(s) of augmenting material(s) 70, 72 be less thanthe total width TW of the proximate waist edge(s) 36, 38, morepreferably equal to or less than 75% of TW, and still more preferablyequal to or less than 50% of TW.

For the purposes of striking a balance between providing an augmentedwaistband zone of a height H adapted to be tactilely satisfying for acaregiver, based on the size of a thumb-and-fingers grip, and materialcost control, it may be desired that one or both the layer(s) ofaugmenting material(s) 70, 72 have a height H of 10 mm to 30 mm, morepreferably 12 mm to 28 mm, and still more preferably 15 mm to 25 mm.

Although FIG. 1 suggests that layers of augmenting materials and theaugmented waistband zones defined thereby be rectangular in shape, thisis not necessarily required, as long as sufficient widths and heights ofthe layers of augmenting materials are present.

In combination with the above-described minimum dimensions, oralternatively, it may be desired that the layer(s) of augmentingmaterial(s) 70, 72 add stiffness to the augmented waistband zones 64, 66they define. It is believed that, to have the desired effects oncaregiver perceptions, the augmented waistband zones should have astiffness of at least 0.50 N (where stiffness is measured using theStiffness Test Method set forth below). It is believed, however, thatstiffness should not be too great, since an excessively stiff waistbandzone may cause discomfort for the wearer. Accordingly, it may be desiredthat stiffness of an augmented waistband zone not exceed 2.0 N. It maybe desired that the stiffness of an augmented waistband zone betweenfrom 0.50 N to 2.0 N, more preferably from 0.55 to 1.80 N, and stillmore preferably from 0.60 N to 1.70 N, or any combination of the upperand lower limits of these ranges.

In still further combination with the above-described features, oralternatively, it may be desired that the layer(s) of augmentingmaterial(s) 70, 72 together make up at least 1.0% of the total weight ofthe disposable diaper without/before the addition of layers ofaugumenting materials, more preferably at least 1.5%, and even morepreferably 2.0%.

In still further combination with any of the above-described features,it may be desired that one or both of the outward margin(s) OM of thinportions 60, 62 lying longitudinally outboard of the augmented waistbandzones be limited, to no more than 5.0 mm, more preferably no more than2.0 mm, and still more preferably, that one or both of the outwardmargins OM be zero, i.e., that the longitudinally outboardmost edges ofthe augmented waistband zones be coextensive and coterminous with thewaist edges 36, 38. (For purposes herein, an outward margin OM ismeasured from the longitudinally outboardmost edge of the augmentedwaistband zone to the proximate waist edge.) This has the effect ofplacing the augmented waistband zones as close as possible to the waistedges, minimizing the depth the caregiver must reach into the diaper tograsp and perceive structural robustness.

As noted previously, a purpose of the configurations disclosed herein isto reduce caregiver effort by signaling to the caregiver that it isunnecessary to reach down to the absorbent core region to find a robustportion of the diaper structure to grasp. It may be undesirable,therefore, for either or both the layers of augmenting material(s) tolongitudinally overlap the absorbent core. Thus, it may be desirablethat one or both the layers of augmenting material(s) 70, 72 notlongitudinally overlap, underlay or overlay any substantial deposit ofcellulose fibers and/or particles of absorbent gelling materialeffectively forming a portion of the absorbent structure of absorbentcore 30.

The diaper may also include elasticized waistbands (not shown) in eitheror both the front and rear. In one example, a waistband may beelasticized by the inclusion of one or more laterally-oriented strips orstrands of elastomeric material (not shown) (elastic members) sandwichedbetween the topsheet and backsheet. The strips or stands of elastomericmaterial may be pre-strained and elongated when applied onto/into theother components of the diaper, such that upon completion of manufactureand relaxation, the elastic members contract laterally and cause thetopsheet and backsheet to gather laterally, forming corrugations orgathers of topsheet and backsheet material that accommodate lateralstretch when the diaper is worn.

Referring to FIG. 5A, in another example, a separate elastic waistbandstructure 300 may be applied to the inside of the combined web structureincluding the topsheet 10 and backsheet 20 in the waistband area, andmay be applied to the topsheet on the inside (wearer-facing side) or tothe backsheet on the outside. In a particular example, a separateelastic waistband structure may be formed of one or morelaterally-oriented elastic members 301 adhered to a laterally-orientedcovering strip of nonwoven web material or film material 302, whichcovers the elastic members. In another particular example, a separateelastic waistband structure 300 may be formed of one or morelaterally-oriented elastic members 301 sandwiched and adhered betweentwo laterally-oriented covering strips of nonwoven web material and/orfilm material 302, which enclose the elastic members to form anelasticized band structure. As suggested in FIG. 5B, a separate elasticwaistband structure 300 may be pre-strained and elongated when appliedonto the other components of the diaper, such that upon completion ofmanufacture and relaxation, the elastic members contract laterally andcause the topsheet and backsheet to gather laterally, forminglongitudinal corrugations/lateral gathers of topsheet and backsheetmaterial that provide lateral elastic stretch when the diaper is appliedand worn. A separate waistband structure may be collocated and/orcoextensive with a layer of augmenting material. In a particularexample, a separate elastic waistband structure and/or componentsthereof may serve as the layer of augmenting material for purposesherein. Examples of suitable separate elastic waistband structures aredepicted and described in, for example, U.S. patent application Ser.Nos. 13/490,543; 13/490,548; and 13/490,554.

It is believed that providing augmented waistband zones 64, 66 willprovide a tactile signal to a caregiver of robustness of the diaperstructure at the locations of the zones 64, 66, which they mayconfidently grasp to tug at the diaper. It is believed, further, thatthe strength and/or effects of the signal may be enhanced by a visualcue. Thus, it may be desired that one or both of the layers ofaugmenting material(s) 70, 72 be imparted with a color that visiblycontrasts with the color(s) of the immediately surrounding and/oroverlying materials. For example, if the backsheet is white or has awhite background, a layer of augmenting material overlying or underlyingthe backsheet (which may be translucent) may be colored, making theassociated augmented waistband zone visibly distinct from theimmediately surrounding backsheet material. To create a visiblecontrast, a layer of augmenting material may be colored with a coloringagent (by printing, dyeing, tinting or otherwise) that is not present inor on all of the visible material immediately surrounding the augmentingmaterial in the longitudinal and lateral directions, viewed from theoutside of the diaper.

In another alternative, the augmented waistband zone(s) and/or thelocation thereof may be visually identified, highlighted or visiblydemarcated by printing on the underlying or overlying materials. Forexample, a material of the backsheet may be printed with a block, shape,outline or similar indicium corresponding to and indicating thepresence, location and/or shape of the layer of augmenting material, forexample, underlying the backsheet.

The following non-limiting examples of combinations of features arecontemplated:

-   1. A disposable diaper, comprising:    -   a liquid permeable topsheet forming a wearing-facing surface; a        liquid impermeable backsheet forming an outward-facing surface;        a front region ending at a front waist edge; a rear region        ending at a rear waist edge; an overall length measured from the        front waist edge to the rear waist edge; a left and right        longitudinal edges connecting the front and rear waist edges; a        longitudinal axis dividing the backsheet into left and right        halves; elastically extensible left and right fastening members        each extending laterally from the respective left and right        longitudinal edges in the rear region and each having a        mechanical fastener proximate an end thereof; a landing zone in        the front region configured to cooperate with the mechanical        fasteners to effect attachment therebetween; and an absorbent        core disposed between the topsheet and backsheet, the absorbent        core having a front core edge, a rear core edge and a core        length measured from the front core edge to the rear core edge,        the core length being less than the overall length, the        absorbent core comprising superabsorbent particles;    -   respective front and rear augmented waistband zones in the        respective front and rear waist regions, each of the augmented        waistband zones being defined by a layer of augmenting material        in addition to the topsheet and backsheet, said layer of        augmenting material having a top extent, a bottom extent and        left and right side extents, a width measured from the left        extent to the right extent of at least 60 mm, and substantially        centered about the longitudinal axis, and a height measured from        the top extent to the bottom extent of at least 10 mm;    -   wherein the layer of augmenting material is not solely formed of        an elastomeric film, elastomeric strand, or elastomeric strip;        and    -   wherein both of the front and rear augmented waistband zones has        a stiffness of at least 0.50 N.-   2. The diaper of combination 1 wherein the top extent of the layer    of augmenting material of at least one of the front and rear    augmented waistband zones lies within 5 mm of the respective front    or rear waist edge.-   3. The diaper of combination 2 wherein the top extent of the layer    of augmenting material of at least one of the front and rear    augmented waistband zones is coextensive with the respective front    or rear waist edge.-   4. The diaper of any of the preceding combinations wherein the    combined weight of the layers of augmenting material of the front    and rear augmented waistband zones comprises at least 1.0% of the    total weight of the diaper without the layers of augmenting    material.-   5. The diaper of any of the preceding combinations wherein one or    both the layers of augmenting material has a coloring agent therein    or thereon, that is not present in or on all of the visible material    immediately surrounding the augmenting material in longitudinal and    lateral directions, viewed from the outside of the diaper.-   6. A disposable diaper, comprising:    -   a liquid permeable topsheet forming a wearing-facing surface; a        liquid impermeable backsheet forming an outward-facing surface;        a front region ending at a front waist edge; a rear region        ending at a rear waist edge; an overall length measured from the        front waist edge to the rear waist edge; a left and right        longitudinal edges connecting the front and rear waist edges; a        longitudinal axis dividing the backsheet into left and right        halves; elastically extensible left and right fastening members        each extending laterally from the respective left and right        longitudinal edges in the rear region and each having a        mechanical fastener proximate an end thereof; a landing zone in        the front region configured to cooperate with the mechanical        fasteners to effect attachment therebetween; and an absorbent        core disposed between the topsheet and backsheet, the absorbent        core having a front core edge, a rear core edge and a core        length measured from the front core edge to the rear core edge,        the core length being less than the overall length, the        absorbent core comprising superabsorbent particles;    -   respective front and rear augmented waistband zones in the        respective front and rear waist regions, each of the augmented        waistband zones being defined by a layer of augmenting material        in addition to the topsheet and backsheet, said layer of        augmenting material having a top extent, a bottom extent and        left and right side extents, a width measured from the left        extent to the right extent that comprises at least 30% of the        total width of the nearest of the respective front or rear waist        edges, and substantially centered about the longitudinal axis,        and a height measured from the top extent to the bottom extent        of at least 10 mm;    -   wherein the layer of augmenting material is not solely formed of        an elastomeric film, elastomeric strand, or elastomeric strip;        and    -   wherein both of the front and rear augmented waistband zones has        a stiffness of at least 0.50 N.-   7. The diaper of any of the preceding combinations wherein one or    both of the front and rear regions include a separate elastic    waistband structure.-   8. The diaper of any of the preceding combinations having a Caliper    of less than 4.0 mm.    Caliper Measurement Method

For purposes herein “Caliper” measurements are performed using an OnoSokki digital caliper (GS-503 Linear Gauge Sensor with DG-3610 DigitalGauge, Ono Sokki Co, Japan or equivalent) capable of measuring to thenearest 0.01 mm. The circular foot's diameter is 1.00 cm and the appliedpressure is 0.30 psi.

Place the sample article on a lab bench with the wearer-facing surfaceupward. Using scissors, clip any longitudinally-oriented elastic membersin barrier cuffs or about leg edges at approximately one-inch intervalsor otherwise as effective to allow the article to lay out substantiallyflat.

Three Measurement Sites are identified on the sample article as follows:

-   -   (1) Laterally centered (i.e., along the longitudinal centerline        of the diaper) and 5 mm inboard of the rearwardmost edge of the        absorbent structure of the absorbent core;    -   (2) Laterally 20 mm to the left of Measurement Site (1); and    -   (3) Laterally 20 mm to the right of Measurement Site (1).

For each Measurement Site the caliper is first zeroed by placing thefoot directly on the anvil and setting the digital gauge to zero. Thefoot is then raised and the sample is placed onto the caliper anvil,with the wearer-facing surface upward and the Measurement Site centeredunder the foot. The foot is lowered at about 5 mm/sec until it rests onthe sample. Take a reading after a residence time of 5 seconds, andrecord to the nearest 0.01 mm. Raise the foot and repeat the measurementin like fashion at the other Measurement Sites. Measurements for thethree sites are averaged and reported to the nearest 0.01 mm. A total of3 substantially identical samples are measured and the measurements forthe three Measurement Site on each are averaged and reported to thenearest 0.01 mm.

Stiffness Test Method

Waistband zone stiffness is measured using a constant rate of extensiontensile tester with computer interface (a suitable instrument is a MTSInsight Model 1 EL under TestWorks 4 software, as available from MTSSystems Corp., Eden Prairie, Minn.) fitted with a 10 N load cell. Aplunger blade 100 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is used for the upper movabletest fixture and a support platform 200 is used as the lower stationarytest fixture. All testing is performed in a conditioned room maintainedat 23° C.±2C° and 50%±2% relative humidity.

All dimensional and “left” and “right” references in this test methoddescription are relative the view shown in FIG. 3.

Components of the top fixture 100 are made of a light weight material tomaximize the available load cell capacity. The shaft 101 is machined tofit the tensile tester and has a locking collar 102 to stabilize theplunger blade 103 and maintain alignment of its vertical surfacesorthogonal to the test surface 205 of the bottom fixture 200. Theplunger blade 103, is 110 mm deep by 35 mm high by 0.9 mm thick, and hasa bottom edge 104 rounded with a 0.45 mm radius. The blade is secured tothe shaft such that the bottom edge 104 is parallel to the surface ofthe test surface 205.

The bottom fixture 200 is attached to the tensile tester with the shaft201 machined to fit the tensile tester and locking collar 202. Thelaterally movable support platform 204 is mounted on a rail 203 and hasa set screw 207 to lock its position after adjustment. The test surface205 is made from polished stainless steel 90 mm wide by 115 mm deep andis attached to the top of the support platform 204. A cover plate 206 isconstructed of 5.6 mm thick Plexiglas that is 140 mm wide by 90 mm deep.A shim piece 207, 5.6 mm thick by 25 mm wide by 90 mm deep, is adheredto the bottom of the cover plate 206 10 mm from, and parallel to, theleft edge of the cover plate 206. A 907 g±5 g weight 208 approximately50 mm wide and 125 mm deep, is rested on the cover-plate during testing,with its left edge aligned with the right edge of the shim 206 as shownin FIG. 3.

Samples are conditioned at 23° C.±2C° and 50%±2% relative humidity for 2hours prior to testing. The test specimen is removed from the diaperusing a cutting die 76.2 mm±1 mm square. The diaper is placedwearer-facing side downward onto a flat-surfaced plate made of LEXANpolycarbonate resin thermoplastic. If the front waist contains elastic,the article is maintained in the relaxed, unstretched state for testing.Measure and mark a site along the longitudinal centerline of the diaper,74 mm from the front waist edge. Place the die on the top of thearticle, with the center of the die aligned with the marked site, andwith the die's edges parallel and perpendicular to that article'scenterline. After alignment a hydraulic press is used to cut thespecimen away from the diaper.

Set the gage height such that bottom of the plunger blade 103 is25.00±0.01 mm above the top plane of the test surface 205. Set theposition of the platform 204 such that the left vertical surface of theblade 103 is offset 5.00 mm±0.01 mm to the right of the right side edgeof the test surface 205 (distance 209). Program the tensile tester tolower the crosshead downward 35.00 mm at a rate of 127 mm/min whilecollecting displacement and force data at a rate 100 Hz.

Referring to FIG. 3, place the specimen 211 wearer-facing side downwardonto the test surface 205 with the front waist edge of the specimenparallel to the right edge of the test surface 205. Adjust the specimensuch that 1.00 cm±0.05 cm of the specimen extends past the right edge ofthe test surface 205 (distance 210). Place the cover plate 206 over thespecimen (the shim will rest on the test surface behind the sample)aligning the right edge of the cover plate 206 with the right edge ofthe test surface 205. Next, place the weight 208 on top of the coverplate 206, with its left edge aligned with the right edge of the shim207.

Zero the load cell and the crosshead position. Start the test andcollect data. From the resulting force (N) verses displacement curve(mm) calculate the Peak Force (N) and report to the nearest 0.01N.Repeat the test for a total of 15 substantially identical articles.Report the waistband zone stiffness as an average of the 15 replicates,to the nearest 0.01 N.

Hysteresis Test Method

Obtain samples of subject material that have not been activated orotherwise previously substantially stretched. Samples should besufficient to provide for a gauge length of at least 15 mm along thedirection of stretch in the Test, and should be of a constant width(perpendicular to the direction of stretch in the Test) of at least 5mm.

The Hysteresis Test can be used to various specified strain values. TheHysteresis Test utilizes a commercial tensile tester (e.g., from InstronEngineering Corp. (Canton, Mass.), SINTECH-MTS Systems Corporation (EdenPrairie, Minn.) or equivalent) interfaced with a computer. The computeris used to control the test speed and other test parameters and forcollecting, calculating, and reporting the data. The tests are performedunder laboratory conditions of 23° C.±2° C. and relative humidity of50%±2%. The samples are conditioned for 24 hours prior to testing.

Test Protocol

1. Select the appropriate grips and load cell. The grips must have flatsurfaces and must be wide enough to grasp the sample along its fullwidth. Also, the grips should provide adequate force to ensure that thesample does not slip during testing. The load cell is selected so thatthe tensile response from the sample tested is between 25% and 75% ofthe capacity of the load cell used.2. Calibrate the tester according to the manufacturer's instructions.3. Set the distance between the grips (gauge length) at 15 mm.4. Place the sample in the flat surfaces of the grips such that theuniform width lies along a direction perpendicular to the gauge lengthdirection. Secure the sample in the upper grips, let the sample hangslack, then close the lower grips. Set the slack preload at 0.02 N/cm.This means that the data collection starts when the slack is removed (ata constant crosshead speed of 10 mm/min) with a force of 0.02 N/cm.Strain is calculated based on the adjusted gauge length (l_(ini)), whichis the length of the sample in between the grips of the tensile testerat a force of 0.02 N/cm. This adjusted gauge length is taken as theinitial sample length, and it corresponds to a strain of 0%. Percentstrain at any point in the test is defined as the change in lengthdivided by the adjusted gauge length times 100.5(a) First cycle loading: Pull the sample to the specified strain(herein, 100%) at a constant cross head speed of 100 mm/min. Report thestretched sample length between the grips as l_(max).5(b) First cycle unloading: Hold the sample at the specified strain for30 seconds and then return the crosshead to its starting position (0%strain or initial sample length, l_(ini)) at a constant cross head speedof 100 mm/min. Hold the sample in the unstrained state for 1 minute.5(c) Second cycle loading: Pull the sample to the specified strain at aconstant cross head speed of 100 mm/min.5(d) Second cycle unload: Next, return the crosshead to its startingposition (i.e. 0% strain) at a constant cross head speed of 100 mm/min.

A computer data system records the force exerted on the sample duringthe test as a function of applied strain. From the resulting datagenerated, the following quantities are reported (note that loads arereported as force divided by the width of the sample and do not takeinto account the thickness of the sample):

i. Length of sample between the grips at a slack preload of 0.02 N/cm(l_(ini)) to the nearest 0.001 mm.

ii. Length of sample between the grips on first cycle at the specifiedstrain (l_(max)) to the nearest 0.001 mm.

iii. Length of sample between the grips at a second cycle load force of0.02 N/cm (l_(ext)) to the nearest 0.001 mm.

iv. % set, which is defined as (l_(ext)-l_(ini))/(l_(max)-l_(ini)) *100% to the nearest 0.01%.

The testing is repeated for six separate samples and the average andstandard deviation reported.

The Hysteresis Test can be suitably modified depending on the expectedattributes and/or properties of the particular material sample to bemeasured. For example, the Test can be suitably modified where a sampleof the length and width specified above are not available from thesubject pant.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation ofany document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect toany invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in anycombination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests ordiscloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning ordefinition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shallgovern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A disposable diaper, comprising: a liquidpermeable topsheet forming a wearing-facing surface; a liquidimpermeable backsheet forming an outward-facing surface; a front regionending at a front waist edge; a rear region ending at a rear waist edge;an overall length measured from the front waist edge to the rear waistedge; a left and right longitudinal edges connecting the front and rearwaist edges; a longitudinal axis dividing the backsheet into left andright halves; left and right fastening members each extending laterallyfrom the respective left and right longitudinal edges in the rear regionand each having a mechanical fastener proximate an end thereof; alanding zone in the front region configured to cooperate with themechanical fasteners to effect attachment therebetween; and an absorbentcore disposed between the topsheet and backsheet, the absorbent corecomprising a layer comprising absorbent gelling material and a separatelayer of liquid acquisition/distribution material, the absorbent corehaving a front core edge, a rear core edge and a core length measuredfrom the front core edge to the rear core edge, the core length beingless than the overall length, the absorbent core comprisingsuperabsorbent particles; respective front and rear augmented waistbandzones in the respective front and rear waist regions, each of theaugmented waistband zones being defined by a layer of augmentingmaterial in addition to the topsheet and backsheet, the layer ofaugmenting material having a top extent, a bottom extent and left andright side extents, a width measured from the left extent to the rightextent of at least 60 mm, and substantially centered about thelongitudinal axis, and a height measured from the top extent to thebottom extent of at least 10 mm, the top extent defining an outwardmargin OM lying longitudinally outboard of the respective front or rearaugmented waistband zone, the outward margin OM being no more than 5.0mm from the respective front waist edge or rear waist edge; wherein thelayer of augmenting material is not solely formed of an elastomericfilm, elastomeric strand, or elastomeric strip; and is longitudinallyseparated and spaced apart from and does not longitudinally overlap thelayer of liquid acquisition/distribution material; and wherein both ofthe front and rear augmented waistband zones has a stiffness of at least0.50 N.
 2. The diaper of claim 1 wherein the top extent of the layer ofaugmenting material of at least one of the front and rear augmentedwaistband zones is coextensive with the respective front or rear waistedge.
 3. The diaper of claim 1 wherein the combined weight of the layersof augmenting material of the front and rear augmented waistband zonescomprises at least 1.0% of the total weight of the diaper without thelayers of augmenting material.
 4. The diaper of claim 1 wherein one orboth the layers of augmenting material has a coloring agent therein orthereon, that is not present in or on all of the visible materialimmediately surrounding the augmenting material in longitudinal andlateral directions, viewed from the outside of the diaper.
 5. The diaperof claim 1 wherein one or both of the front and rear regions include aseparate elastic waistband structure.
 6. The diaper of claim 1 having aCaliper of less than 4.0 mm.
 7. The diaper of claim 1 wherein the leftand right fastening members are elastically extensible.
 8. A disposablediaper, comprising: a liquid permeable topsheet forming a wearing-facingsurface; a liquid impermeable backsheet forming an outward-facingsurface; a front region ending at a front waist edge; a rear regionending at a rear waist edge; an overall length measured from the frontwaist edge to the rear waist edge; a left and right longitudinal edgesconnecting the front and rear waist edges; a longitudinal axis dividingthe backsheet into left and right halves; left and right fasteningmembers each extending laterally from the respective left and rightlongitudinal edges in the rear region and each having a mechanicalfastener proximate an end thereof; a landing zone in the front regionconfigured to cooperate with the mechanical fasteners to effectattachment therebetween; and an absorbent core disposed between thetopsheet and backsheet, the absorbent core comprising a layer comprisingabsorbent gelling material and a separate layer of liquidacquisition/distribution material, the absorbent core having a frontcore edge, a rear core edge and a core length measured from the frontcore edge to the rear core edge, the core length being less than theoverall length, the absorbent core comprising superabsorbent particles;respective front and rear augmented waistband zones in the respectivefront and rear waist regions, each of the augmented waistband zonesbeing defined by a layer of augmenting material in addition to thetopsheet and backsheet, the layer of augmenting material having a topextent, a bottom extent and left and right side extents, a widthmeasured from the left extent to the right extent that comprises atleast 30% of the total width of the nearest of the respective front orrear waist edges, and substantially centered about the longitudinalaxis, and a height measured from the top extent to the bottom extent ofat least 10 mm, the top extent defining an outward margin OM lyinglongitudinally outboard of the respective front or rear augmentedwaistband zone, the outward margin OM being no more than 5.0 mm from therespective front waist edge or rear waist edge; wherein the layer ofaugmenting material is not solely formed of an elastomeric film,elastomeric strand, or elastomeric strip; and is longitudinallyseparated and spaced apart from and does not longitudinally overlap thelayer of liquid acquisition/distribution material; and wherein both ofthe front and rear augmented waistband zones has a stiffness of at least0.50 N.
 9. The diaper of claim 8 wherein one or both of the front andrear regions include a separate elastic waistband structure.
 10. Thediaper of claim 8 having a Caliper of less than 4.0 mm.
 11. The diaperof claim 8 wherein the top extent of the layer of augmenting material ofat least one of the front and rear augmented waistband zones iscoextensive with the respective front or rear waist edge.
 12. The diaperof claim 8 wherein the combined weight of the layers of augmentingmaterial of the front and rear augmented waistband zones comprises atleast 1.0% of the total weight of the diaper without the layers ofaugmenting material.
 13. The diaper of claim 8 wherein one or both thelayers of augmenting material has a coloring agent therein or thereon,that is not present in or on all of the visible material immediatelysurrounding the augmenting material in longitudinal and lateraldirections, viewed from the outside of the diaper.
 14. The diaper ofclaim 8 wherein the left and right fastening members are elasticallyextensible.